BHUBANESWAR:Delay in announcement of office-bearers of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has sparked resentment among party leaders as the high command is yet to initiate any measures for the last six months to check the continuing slide of the party in Odisha.
OPCC president Prasad Harichandan was brought in five months back replacing Jaydev Jena. However, he is yet to finalise his new team. Surprisingly, the party, which aims to dislodge the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) from power in 2019 elections, does not have presidents in more than 90 blocks and 10 districts.
The delay in appointment of office-bearers is likely to affect party workers. Though the OPCC had announced padyatras and agitations against the BJD and BJP across the State, it is yet to launch any Statewide agitations against the State Government.
After taking over as the OPCC president, Harichandan had started on a positive note by organising a brainstorming session of party leaders which took three days to finalise the roadmap for the party in future. However, there seems to be no follow up action since then.
Harichandan, however, said office-bearers will be announced soon. He also said the party is working to strengthen its organisation all over the State.
Though the OPCC chief and senior leaders maintained that former chief minister Giridhar Gamang’s resignation from Congress and joining BJP will have no impact on Congress in the State, the incident indicates towards the shrinking vote base of the party among the tribals.
Gamang on Monday returned from New Delhi after joining BJP along with his son. He will be formally inducted to BJP at a function here at the party headquarters on June 18. Meanwhile, a team of social media and spokespersons has been announced by the OPCC.
